wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “security monitor”
wp.org orders by popularity, so a plugin a host bundled onto millions of sites, or a big-brand one that's slow and mediocre, can sit at the top. Our ranking is built to answer a different question: which of these is actually worth installing. How this works →
For “security monitor”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 7 of the top 20.
wp.org search ranks on
Install count (uncapped), the raw star average, freshness, and support. Popularity dominates, so the biggest install base usually wins regardless of how it got there.
We add
A cap on the install boost, volume-weighted ratings, and signals wp.org can't see: whether the install base is organic or host-pushed, and its risk of being pulled.
Ranked above its merit
Atlant Security shows at wp.org #16 but places #23 on merit, a gap of 7 places. Its 700+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 8 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ · 4.7★ (5040)
wp.org #1 2 
All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall 1M+ · 4.7★ (1720)
wp.org #2 3 
Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal 40K+ · 4.8★ (397)
wp.org #4 1 too low 4 
Jetpack – AI Agents & MCP, Security, Backup & Analytics 3M+ · 3.7★ (2408)
wp.org #3 1 too high 5 
Download Monitor 80K+ · 4.5★ (525)
wp.org #6 1 too low 6 
Kadence Security – Password, Two Factor Authentication, and Brute Force Protection 700K+ · 4.6★ (3992)
wp.org #7 1 too low 7 
Query Monitor 200K+ · 4.9★ (470)
wp.org #8 1 too low 8 
Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin 1M+ · 4.5★ (157)
wp.org #5 3 too high 9 
MalCare WordPress Security Plugin – Malware Scanner, Cleaner, Security Firewall 100K+ · 4.4★ (559)
wp.org #9 10 
Simple Download Monitor 20K+ · 4.7★ (158)
wp.org #10 11 
Limit Login Attempts Security – Login Security, 2FA, Firewall, Brute Force Prevention 1M+ · 4.8★ (1489)
wp.org #14 ↓2 3 too low 12 
WP Activity Log 300K+ · 4.7★ (490)
wp.org #15 ↑2 3 too low 13 
Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings 4M+ · 4.8★ (7520)
wp.org #21 ↑1 8 too low 14 
Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening 600K+ · 4.2★ (386)
wp.org #13 1 too high 15 
Activity Log – Monitor User and Agent Changes 200K+ · 4.3★ (74)
wp.org #12 ↑3 3 too high 16 
Vigilant – 100% Free Security Suite: Firewall, 2FA, Login, Headers, Scanner… 3K+ · 5.0★ (24) thin reviews
wp.org #11 ↑3 5 too high 17 
Headers Security Advanced & HSTS WP 90K+ · 4.9★ (79)
wp.org #19 ↑1 2 too low 18 
WP Umbrella: Security Backup Restore & Monitoring 90K+ · 4.8★ (81)
wp.org #20 ↑1 2 too low 19 
Login Security Captcha 10K+ · 4.9★ (20) thin reviews
wp.org #18 ↑1 1 too high 20 E Error Log Monitor 20K+ · 4.3★ (48)
wp.org #23 ↑1 3 too low 21 
BotBlocker Security – Complete security platform 3K+ · 5.0★ (11) thin reviews
wp.org #17 ↑1 4 too high 22 
Melapress File Monitor 5K+ · 4.1★ (32)
wp.org #22 ↑1 23 Atlant Security 700+ · 5.0★ (8) thin reviews
wp.org #16 7 too high 24 
Traffic Monitor 900+ · 5.0★ (3) thin reviews
wp.org #24 Merit ranking caps the install boost at 1M (wp.org leaves it uncapped), replaces the raw star average with a volume-weighted Bayesian score and a Wilson lower bound, and keeps wp.org's own freshness and compatibility decays. Method from the plugin-directory source; see Meta Trac #8298. Positions are tracked daily from the first visit to a keyword, so the small arrows show movement since tracking began.